Reviewed by Ian Phillips.
By Midnight oil, Sony Music 2020.
Midnight Oil has spent 2020 working on a new album called The Makarrata Project, which is their contribution in support of reconciliation and the Uluru Statement from The heart.
The seven-song mini album is due for release in the coming months.
So far they’ve dropped two fantastic singles, Gadigal Land featuring Dan Sultan, Joel Davison, Kaleena Briggs and Bunna Lawrie, and First Nation featuring Jessica Mauboy & Tasman Keith.
These songs contain all the passion and commitment that we’ve come to expect from Midnight oil and they show that the band is just as relevant today as it has ever been.
In fact I’ll go further, considering the times we are living through, and the deplorable state of national and international political leadership we are experiencing, the need for the Oils has probably never been greater.
Gadigal Land tells the story of the traditional owners of Sydney who experienced the first large-scale exposure to the invading white settlers.
In producing what many might view as a provocative recount of what happened in Sydney in 1788 (and then in the rest of Australia) including the massacres, poisonings, chains, incarceration etc. the Oils have shown that they are still prepared to tackle controversial issues head-on.
The song was performed at this year’s National Indigenous Music Awards and it’s the first new Midnight Oil song in approximately 18 years, although new material has been released by individual band members.
In the last couple of years Peter Garrett released some new songs that included contributions from his daughters and both Jim Moginie, and particularly Rob Hirst, have been active for many years.
In Gadigal Land indigenous Gadigal poet Joel Davison speaks in his native tongue and reminds us that the land always was and will always remain their land.
The sound is impressive, underpinned by the thumping rhythm section of Rob Hirst’s explosive drumming and Bones Hillman’s driving bass.
There’s an overlay of brass and of course the unmistakeable voice of Peter Garrett front and centre.
This is classic Midnight Oil and I can’t wait for the full album.
